Telegraph system



Aug. 24, 1943. E. F. WATSON TELEGRAPH SYSTEM Filed July 3,1940

By a b ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 24, 1943 UNITED sures, TEN O I a i I TELEGRAPH SYSTEM EdwardF. Watson, .Larchmont, N.4Y., assignor to Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated, New York, N..Y,, amorpor'ationof New York Application July 3.; 1940, Serial No. 343,699

13.Claims This invention relates tocommunication sys} tems and more particularlyto anautomatic switching arrangement for automatically and selectively directing telegraph messages to one of a plurality of telegraph stations or receiving instruments p e In previous switching systems, such as shown in my'Pa-tent 2,154,592; granted April 18; 1939, it is necessary to employa; separateand distinct selector forcontrolling the switching apparatus, which selector is entirely separate and distinct and independent of the transmitting apparatus located at the switching point. W p

It is an object of the-present inventionto pro vide an improved and simplified switching arrangement having a combinedtransmitting and selecting apparatus. 7 I A feature of this invention relates'to an arrangement for controlling a combined switching and selecting apparatus by signals perforated or punched in a tape or by signals recordedin some other recording medium; w

Another object of my invention is to provide means for rendering a portionof tl'ieselecting apparatus non-responsive to signals recorded in the control medium. q Still another object of my invention isto provide means for selectively rendering one or more portions of said selecting apparatus responsiveto signals stored in said recordingmedium:

Another object of my invention is to provide arrangement for rendering the selecting apparatus efiective or ineffective by wholly mechanical means. 7 Another objectof myinvention is to render -portions of a selecting apparatus operative to control switching circuits under certain condi tions while another portion remains eifectiv to control said switching circuits at all times.

Still another object ofthis invention is toflp'rovide' means for stopping both the transmitting apparatus and the selecting apparatus in re sponse to certain perforations or certainfibm binations of perforations or signals recorded in the tape. 1 l

Another object of thisinvention is to operatea signaling; device in response to certain perforations, signalsor' combinations of perforations or signals recorded in the tape to attract the attention of an operator or attendant and; to c'oiii vey certain information to her.

Briefly, in accordance with this inventionfa tape transmitter is supplied' with punched or perforated tape either from a local keyboard perforating'appar'atus orfrom a reperfciratingd'evice operatedby telegraph signals received from a telegraphline. l

A perforated tape is employed to control the transmitterfor transmitting telegraph signal im pulses. over. an outgoing telegraph line. The transmitter is also provided with a selector arrangementwhich is also controlled'by the perforated tape. Ilhe selector is arranged to selectively operate switching contacts for operatively associating'the tape controlled transmitter with one or more of aplurality of telegraph receiving stationsor instruments: i

' The selectorisprovided with'addltionalmechanicar' elements 'which normally prevent it from responding to perforations in the tape and thus is ineffective to operate the'switching conta'cts. Means are provided which" are responsive to certain'combinations of'perforations or signals stored in said tape-for rendering said "selecting equipmentor a portion thereof responsive to succeeding combinations of perforations or signals in the tape. Other means are provided for again rendering" said selecting equipment non-responsive tothe perforations in the tape after 'the tape transmitter has been selectively connected to the desired stations or receiving instruments. Additional means are provided to stop "the transmitter and selector in response to certain fsi'gnalsor groups ofsignals recorded in the tape and to operate a signal to attract the operators or attendants attention and'to indicate the destination of the following message or to convey otherinformationto'her. Switching circuits are also provided toenable the operator. to connect the'transmitter 'tothe proper circuits or instruments at will.

The foregoing objects and features of this invention, may be morefully understood from the following descriptionwhen read with reference to' the attached drawing which shows one s'pecific embodiment of this invention. 7 Asshown" in the drawing, the telegraph station IO is provided with a receiving device 'H and transmitting contacts l2. This apparatus may be-of any suitable type, as, for example, the apparatus described in Us S.P'atents 1,745,633, Morton et al., February 4, i930, and 1,904,16 Morton etal; April 18, 1933. This apparatus is connected} over line ['3 to a switching station S where it terminates ina receiving device [A which is arranged tov record the received signals as. combinations of perforations l8 ina tape l5. Devices of this type are described in detail in U; S. Patents 2005,748, Larson, June 25, 1935, and 2,042,788, Krum,' June 2,-1936.'Ihe-tape l5 may 53 from' operating.

also be perforated by means of a keyboard perforator at the switching station S and passed from the perforating device into the transmitting device shown at station S. Typical examples of apparatus of this type are described in greater detail in U. S. Patents 1,965,572, Burcky et al., July 10, 1934; 1,965,602, Lake, July 10, 1939; and 1,969,891, Lake et al., August 14, 1934. The apparatus disclosed in the above-identified patents and the descriptions thereof in these patents are hereby made a part of this application as if full included herein.

The transmitting device at station S is'proe vided with a number of pins 51 to determine if and in what position the tape .is perforated. During the operation of the transmitter these fingers rise and bear against the tape i5. If there are perforations in the tape above any one of these fingers or pins ll, they will go through the perforations and raise the associated lever 59 further than the levers 59 associated with pins which do not go through perforations. As a result, contacts I9 will close only when the corresponding fingers l'l go through perforations in the tape. This causes corresponding signals to be transmitted by distributor 3| over line during the rotation of brush arm 32.

Also associated with each of the pins H is a selector bar 58 having notches cut in its side or edge. When the corresponding pin .ll-goes through a perforation in the tape these permutation selectorelements or bars 53 will'be raised so that the notches in them will line up infront of one of the switch levers 49. These switch levers are. normally prevented from rotating by the two notched bars 45 and 41. Bars' 45 and 41 are arranged to occupy one of two positions and are arranged to be shifted from-one posi: tion to the other in response to certain perfo rations or combinations of perforations recorded in the tape, A switching contact, such as contact w, is controlled byan extension, such as 58, on the selected element or switch bar 43. These contacts are arranged to operate the switching relays 35- through 39 and relay 84.

Relays 36 through 39, when operated, lock Op- 1 erated under control of contacts 82, which contacts are in turn controlled by the switch lever 53. Upon the operation of any of the switching relays 3-5 to 3B, and the subsequent release of relay 84 as'described hereinafter, the, corresponding telegraph station or receiving instruments 62 through 55 are connected to the transmission line-34 and will receive the telegraph signals transmitted over a line 4 by'thetransmitting distributor 3!. j Contacts 44,'when operated by'switch lever 52, cause relay 83 to operate. Relay 83, in turn, stops the advance of the tape transmitter and lights lamp 8!; The operator or attendant, upon noting lighted lam 8|, can operate key 8 which, in turnjcausesrelay 90 to operate, and relays?! to, release. Theoperation of relay 90 connects station 96 to line 34 and the release of relay 83-extinguishes lamp ill-and permits the operation of the transmitter.

Normally, the system will remain in the position shown in the drawing when no signals are being transmitted, except that the selector elements and will normally be in the position opposite to the position shown: where they will prevent any of the switch levers 49 through When a sufiicient quantity of tape is perforated; the contacts 85 will close and complete a circuit for operating the start magnet 24 from: battery through the Winding of start magnet 24,. switch 86, to ground through the upper break contacts of relay 83. The operation of the start magnet 24 will rotate the stop latch 18 about pivot 25 so that it will disengage the stop cam 26. This will permit motor 30 to rotate shaft 22 through gears 21 and 28 and friction clutch 29. Shaft 22, uponrotating, will rotate cam 23 which in turn will allowlever 2! to rotate in a c 0ckwise direction. This will allow plate 20 to rotate in a clockwise direction and permit the pins I! to rise against tape 15, and carry with them the selector elements 58, The pins finding perforations above them in the tape will also cause the corresponding contacts 9 to close so that when distributor arm 32 rotates over the distributor segments I through 5 corresponding signal impulses are transmitted over line 34. However, under assumed conditions, line 34 is not connected to any of the receiving stations or instruments-62 through 66 so the above-described operation is ineffective to transmit the messages recorded in the tape.

The above-described operation will continue until the notches in the selector elements 58 arelined u in front of the lever 61. The notches in: the selector elements 58 will line up in front of the'selector bar inresponse to some one or more specific code combinations, as, for example, the Figures combination, perforated in tape 15, which signal will be called hereinafter an activatingsignal. e

When the notches in the selector elements 58 are lined up before the lever 61, and as plate 20 continues to rotate in a clockwise direction, the rear end of screw 88 will engage the bent end 60 of member El and slide it to the right on pins 8'! and 89'against the action of spring 92. Lever El will then rotate in a clockwise direc tion and press against the lower bar of the E- shaped member 51 This member5'i' is pivoted at 'lll so that whenit is thus rotated in a counter-clockwise direction it will move the selector element 41 to its lower position, as shown in the drawing. W'hen selector element ll-is moved to its lower position, the notches in its front edge will be opposite the otherselector bars and thus permit them to rotate, provided notches in the other selector elements are lined up before the respective selector bars. At this time, however, the selector element 45 is still in its lower position so that, except for the levers 53, 54 and 61, the other switch levers are maintained in their non-operate position by the edge of this selector element because the notches in its front edge are not opposite the selector bars. When the notches in the other selector elements 58 are lined up in front of the lever 53 in response to another code combination recorded on the perforated tape l5, as, for example, the letter H combination, the lever 53 will rotate in a clockwise direction and cause the E-shaped member 56 to rotate in a clockwise direction. This member 56 is pivoted at H so that, when it rotates in a clockwise direction, it will raise the selector element 45 to a position shown where the notches in its front edge will be opposite the other selector bars.

The rotation of lever. 53 at this time opens contacts 82, but under the assumed conditions the opening of these contacts at this time produces no useful result.

It is to be understood that near. the completion ofeach revolution of shaft 22 cam 23 will operate "station or receiving device E2.

aeamrs lever H in a. counterclockwise direction. wilLin turn, rotate plate 20 in a counter clocke Wise direction. The rotation of plate 20' in a counter-clockwise direction first: moves member fila to its left-hand position where it engagesany of .the switchlevers which have been previously operated or rotated in; a clockwise direction as gagement with the perforations in tape 15 .and

finally cause the advancement of the tape G to the next position; whereupon the. above cycle is repeated, assumingof course, that asufiicient supply of perforated tape is available so that contacts 85 donot open.

Thelfollowing group of perforations in the tape will again permit certain of -thefingers l! to rise through the corresponding perforations and cause the'notches in the front edge of the selector elements 58 to line up before one of the switch levers 49. Assuming the uppermost selector bar 49 is selected by the letter A, when the perforations representing the letter A follow the perforationsrepresenting Figures and H in the tape, the switch lever 49' will be rotated in a clockwise direction, whereupon the extension 50 will cause contacts 49 to close. 'The operation of contacts. 49 completes a circuit for th cpe'ration of relays 35 and 34 from. battery 53- the winding of relay SLo-perated contacts -iiand the winding of relay 36 to ground. The operation of relay 84 connectsbattery to the transmis sion circuit 34-which prevents only a portion of a code group'of impulses being transmitted to the selected station or receiving device upon the operation of relay. 35 as described below. As brush arm32 nears the completion ofithe. revolution thenin progress camzil rotates. lever 2i in. a counter-clockwise direction and this lever,

in turn, rotates plate 20 in a. counter-clockwise direction; which permitsspring 92. to restore member 6| to its left-hand position and rotate trough receiving instruments, relay. should. beiast in operating saitiwill operate before any of the relays 3.6 tmififioperate. Also, contacts 40 through 44 and; should closebefore'the brush 33. leaves the stop segment of the transmitting distributor.

However; it this; last condition is. not met, no

harm will result; because these contacts will close andrelay 84 operate before brush 33 reaches segmerit I. In: this case only'a Letters.signal is transmitted to theconnected station 6.2 but isnot printed by the receiving machine at this station.

The operation of relay 3! completes a locking circuitfor-maintaining itself operated and alsoextends the transmission circuit 3.4 to the telegraphsta-tioncr; receiving device 63. Thus, both the telegraphzstations. or receiving devices 82 and 53 willv now receivethesignals transmitted by. a

transmitting distributor3l. i Assuming now. that .the following code oomph nation recorded in the tape I5 is a letters signal, when the fingers H are raised against the tape they carry with them. the selector elements 53 The notches in the front edges of these elements will lineup before the lever 54, and thus allow it to rotate in-a clockwise direction. Ob.- .viously additional levers. similar to 5.2, 53. and 61 may be provided which: are responsive to other code com binations, as forv example a spacing code combination, recorded in' the tape and cooperate with other E-shtrped members on selectors 4.5 and 4,1 for. also controlling these elements.

In rotating. in a clockwise direction the selector bar 54 will engagethe upper bar of the E shaped member 51 and rotate it in a clockwise directionaround. pivot H1, thus raising the selecto'r elementll'to its upper position. Inoperati1 8 selector element 4] to. its upper position, the

switch lever in a coroner-clockwisedirection,

causing contacts 40 to 013611.. and interrupt the operating circuit of relay 84; Relay 34 thereupon releases and removes the battery 68 from the. transmission circuit.

The operation of relay 36 completes a circuit for maintaining itself operated from battery 9! through the break contacts the upper operated contacts of relay w ndin' of relay 36. to ground. The operation of relay also connects transmiss on line the te er aph The succeeding signals then transmitted over thc'l ne to, as described above, will be transmitted to station 52. If the following signal recorded in'the tape is, for example, the cod-combination rep "'nting the letter l3, the notchesin the selector element's 58 will be l ned up before the second switch 1ever 49 so that this levermay now rotate in a mission of this character to station e2 or a portion of it to station 53. It should be noted that, in order to insure that neither theicontrolling characters are printed on either or any of the front edge of this element will. thereafter engage the front. edge. of. the other switch levers and thus prevent them from rotating in a clockwise direction when the notchesv inthefront edges of the selector elements 5.8- are lined up before. any of these switch lovers. The rotation of thetlever 5 in a clockwise. direction also engages the lower bar of the E-shaped 'mem'ber 56, thus. rotatingit in acounter-clockwise direction and thus moving the selector element. G5 to its lower position. This, in turn, will prevent all of the other switch levers, except levers 5.4 and GLfrom rotatingin a clockwise direction when the notches before anyof these levers. in .the front edges of the selector elements 53 are lined up before any of them.

The succeeding code combinations perforated inthe tape ifi will then cause the corresponding fingers IT to rise through the perforations in the tape and control the transmitting contacts I9. These contacts, in turn, control the signals transmitted by thetran'smitting distributor 3| during each revolution of the brush arm 32., The signals transmitted by this distributor are trans.- mitted overline 3A to the typewriter stations or receix ing'device 62 and 53. The transmission circuit may be traced from battery 72 through the operated contacts I9 and associated distributor segments 1 through 5, the distributor brush 33, segment 13, conductor 34, the lower operated contacts of relays 36 and 31 to ground through the receiving devices at stations 62 and 63.

connections atthe completion of the transmission' of the message or at anyother time, a fi'g ures signal is sent followed by an H signal. When the figures signal arrives over the pins [1, the

notches in the selector elements 58 will line up in front of the lever 61 when the. fingers I! go through the corresponding perforations in tape l5. This willcause the selector element 41 to be operated to its lower position, as shown in the and 31, thus permitting these relays to release and disconnect the transmission circuit 34 from the receiving apparatus or stations Hand 63.

The rotation of the switch element 53 in the clockwise direction at this time also causes the upper bar of the E-shaped member 56 to be moved backward and thus raises the selector element 45, thus activating or conditioning a portion of the selecting equipment so that it will be in condition to connect the desired receiving apparatus to the transmitting line '34 in response to the succeeding signals or combinations of signals recorded in the tape i5.

Assume now that the following message is preceded by a letter O combination and that when this combination arrives above the pins I! the notches in the front edges of the selector elements 58 will be lined up before the switch lever 52, thus permitting switch lever 52 to rotate in a clockwise direction and operate contacts 44 The operation of contacts completes an obvious circuit for the operation of relay 83. Relay 83, in operating, completes, a circuit for maintaining itself operated from the battery 9|, lower break contacts of key fiil and inner upper operated contacts of relay 83 to ground through the winding of relay 83. The operation of relay 83 also interrupts the circuit of the magnet 24, thus causing this magnet 24 to release armature l9, and stop the transmitting distributor 3!. This, in turn, stops the feeding of the tape l5 past the pins l! at the completion of the revolution of the distributor 3| then in progress.

The operation of relay 83 also completes an obvious circuit for lighting lamp 8 I.

The lighting of the signal lamp 8| before the operator or attendant indicates to her that the succeeding message in the tape was intended for tation 65. The operator will then operate key 80 which completes an obvious circuit for the operation of relay 90 Relay 95 completes a locking circuit for maintaining itself operated from ground, through its winding and upper operated contacts to battery 9i, through the break contacts 82., Relay 9%, in operating, also connects station 65 or the receiving apparatus thereat to the transmission circuit 34 and thus establishes a transmission path from distributor 3! to receiving device 66.

The operation of key 88 also interrupts the locking circuit of relay 83, thus permitting this relay to release which, in turn, extinguishes lamp 8| and completes a circuit for operating the start magnet 24. The start magnet will operate and withdraw the stop latch from engagement with stopcam and thus permit the transmitting distributor 3! to rotate, whereupon the message recorded in the tape to the receiving device 65.

A letters or other deactivating signal should follow the letter 0 signal recorded in the tape. As pointed out above, this letters signal will cause the lever 54 to rotate in a clockwise direcis transmitted tion and engage both of the E-shaped members 56 and 51 and, in turn, move the selector element 45 to its lower position and the selector element 47 to its upper position where these elements will engage all of the switch levers except 54 and-61 and prevent their operation. Consequently, during the transmission of the remainder of the message recorded in the tape I5 to station 66 the selecting equipment may be rendered inactive and inefiective to disconnect station 55 from the transmission line 34 or to connect m other station thereto.

At the completion of the transmission of this message to station 66, a figures signal followed by an H signal will be recorded in the tape which, in turn, will cause contacts 82 to open, as described above, and release relay 90, thus disconmeeting the receiving apparatus 66 from the transmission path 34. This figures signal, followed by the H signal, will also condition the selecting equipment so that it will be responsive to the succeeding signal stored in the tape l5 to cause the desired station to be connected to the transmission circuit or operate any desired lamp or signal before the operator or attendant to convey to her any desiredinformation. It is to be understood that more than one lamp 8i or other signals or alarms may be provided and operated by the same or different code combination or groups of combinations recorded in tape l5. It is also in the scope of this invention to provide additional keys similar to key to permit the operator or attendant to connect any desired receiving apparatus to the transmission path 34.

It is also within the scope of this invention to provide additional selector elements, similar to 45 and 41, each of which will permit any number or portion of the switch levers to rotate when the notches in the other selector elements 58 are lined up before the respective bars. The selector elements 45 and 41 or others similar to them may be arranged so that only a portion of the total number of switch levers will be released to respond to the perforations in the tape. In addition, if desired, the notches in the selector bars may be so arranged that the switch 82 will at all times respond to a particular group of perforations in the tape and thus release the connecting stations upon the reception or arrival of this particular group of perforations in the tape over the selector pins, such as H.

It is also within the scope of this invention to arrange the notche in the special selector elements i5, 41 and other elements similar to these, such that thee-ode combinations have to appear in a definite order in the tape, as, for example, as described above, it is necessary that the figures signal appear before the H signal in order to release the remaining switch levers. Ifthe H signal appears first, the lever 53 will be prevented from rotating in a clockwise direction-when the notches in the selector element 58 are lined up in- It shouldbe noted that, extent fortlie activating or conditioning combination'of'fgroups creche combinations, the same signal eombmauons-may be transmitted over conductor -34 after the connection is established as used for establishing a connection without altering o'r chan'ging in any way the connections which have been previously established by similar signals. ;In-order to rein-'- der the selecting equipment o'perative or effec: tive, it has to be conditionedby the re'ception'oi certain predetermined signals or groups of signals in order toirespon'd'to the other signals recorded in the tape to control vthe switching. Thereafter, in response to a deactivatingsignal, the selecting equipment is rendered non responsive to anyfurther perforations in the tape .until, the activating signal combinations againappear in the tape. t

The selector elements 45, '41 and other elements like them, which may be provided, are main-Y tained in the position to which they were last moved to-vby the E-shaped members 56 andi'l by means of the spring control detents 46 and 48. These detents cooperate with notches orprojections on these selector elements-to maintain them in a position last set by the E-shaped members. These detents, however, do not positively loc-kthe selector elements 45 and Him their respective positions but merely hold them there until moved to the other position by the E-shaped members in response to corresponding perforations in tape l5. In other words, the actuation of selector bars, in pressing against the endsof the appe l); lower bars of the E-shapedmember, are sufficient to move the selector elements 45 or 41 a'gainstthe action of the springcontro-lle'd detent member's iii and 48, thus causing these members to be set in the new position.

'While permutation code signals are efriployed by the apparatus described above, it is to be "understood that any other suitable ti'l eof code or signaling impulses may be employed equanyweu aselecting arrangement wholly mechanically controlled by said means-responsive to perm t: tions in said tape, apparatus for mechanically rendering 1 a portion of said selecting device-non responsive to perforations in said tape, means mechanically controlled by. the remaining por tion of said selecting device ior' rendering said selecting device responsiveto perforations in said tape, and switching apparatus controlled by said selecting device for connecting said transmitting apparatus to at least one of a plurality of telegraph channels.

2. In a telegraph transmitting device, means controlled by perforations in a tape, means for advancing a perforated tape through said means controlled by perforations, a telegraph transmitting device for transmitting permutation code groups of telegraph signaling impulses, an opera-. tive connection between said perforation controlled means and said transmitter for causing said transmitter to transmit telegraph signalin impulses in accordance with perforations in said tape, a selecting device, an operative connection which is exclusively mechanical between said selecting device and said perforation controlled means, a plurality of selectable elements 'conall FS'e'I cting apparatus cctiv'e to operate 5 d trolled loy saidselecting device, and a .pluralityof switching devices controlled by s'e'l'ectable elements-forselectively and simultaneously connecting said transmitter to any number "of a plurality of telegraph channels;

- A. permutation :code controlled switching device comprising aplurality-of selector elements; mechanical linkages for positioning said elements in accordance with perforations in altape, a phrr'ality-of Selectable el'ern'entspontrolled by said selector elements, a switching device-controlledby each of said Selectable eleinents, "apparatus :for mechanically rendering a portion of sai'ds'electe able elements non responsiye to said selector elements, means controlled by certain .of said remaining selectable elements for rendering said'di sabling means ineffective. i 7 4; Asw'itching device mechanicall controlled by signals recorded iii a recording medium comprising a selecting -de'vi'ce controlled entirely mechanically by signalszre'cordedin said m'ediuini a-plurality of selectable element's controlled by said selecting device, mechanical apparatus for rendering sai'd selectable eleme'fits non-rested siy'e tb saidselector, andi rleans responsive-to the operation 'of 'cer'tain of the remaining selectable element'sfin a'predetermihed order for rendering agrees of said first portion of selectable elements responsive to said selecting device; a

5. a permutatioh codecontrolledswitchihg device comprising a roup of permutation elemehts', means rerm'echamcany condoning 's'ai'd elements accordance with permutation signals recorded a'sto'ring medium, a plurality 'of selectable elements arranged-iii mechanieanyen gageablerelation with saidpermu-tationelments, for lei-looting a large proportion-of said silettibl elementsnon-respoa'siye td Said permu: tatitifi elements, other selecting elements con trolled by the remaining portion-of Said Slt able elements for rendering a group or said first 'poition of selectatleelementsresponsive toaid p'i-iniitaneneiesients, and a roup or switching devises eontronea y said electable elements;

A signal device-responsivetdsighals recorded in a signal recording medium comprising means for determining tne eharatr of signais recorded said medimh, other apparatus controlled by said stamens-ro "selectively Opera-magma tie pl rality oi-sets biswitciiiiig d vices, means idinor-many preventing' th operation '0 aid swath: ihg devices, other apparatus responds/ere certain signals recorded in seismedium to re" oer sale switching .devicefslin respons Ito-signals resorted one medium, a signaling device iocata'berore an operator, and means responsive to the operation of certain of said switching devices for operating said signaling device.

7. In a telegraph system, a transmitting device controlled by permutation signals recorded in a tape comprising in combination means for continuously determining the character of the signals recorded in said tape, transmitting apparatus controlled by said first means for transmitting signals corresponding to the signals recorded in said tape, other apparatus directly controlled by said first means for selectivel operating one of a plurality of sets of switching devices, means responsive to the operation of said selected switchmg device for interrupting the operation of said selected switching device for operating said signal indicating device.

. 8. In a telegraph system, a plurality of receiving devices, transmitting apparatus, a tape having permutation signals recorded therein, means for determining the character of the signals recorded in said tape, an operative connection between said transmitter and said first means for causin said transmitter to transmit signals in accordance with the signalsrecorded in said tape, aselecting device, an operative mechanical connection between saidselecting device and said first means for controlling said selecting device in accordance with the signals recorded in said tape, means for normally rendering said selecting device non-responsive to the signals recorded in said tape, means responsive to certain signals recorded in said tape for rendering said selecting device responsive to succeedin signals recorded in said tape, a signal indicating device,-an operative connection between said signal indicating device and'said selector for operating said indicating device in response to a certain combination of signals recorded in said tape, switching apparatus to connect said transmitter to one of said plurality of receiving devicesand means responsive to the connection of said transmitter to said receiving device for restoring said signal indicating device to normal.

9. A flexible tape, means for storing permutation code combinations therein, a single set of instrumentalities having elements capable of assuming two conditions successively under the influence of successive of said code combinations, permutation code transmission means controlled by said instrumentalities, and switching apparatus directly controlled by said instrumentalities and operated independently of the operation of said transmitting means for selectively establishing or disestablishing transmission paths from said, transmission means.

10. In a telegraph transmitting device controlled by stored signals, a group of permutation elements each having two positions, apparatus for mechanically setting said permutation elements in accordance with stored signals, ,telegraph signal transmitting apparatus for transmitting in succession signaling pulses forming permutation code groups of pulses, an operative connection between said transmitting apparatus and said permutation elements for controlling the respective pulses of said groups of pulses transmitted by said transmitting apparatus in accordance with the setting of said permutation elements, selecting apparatus operating independently'of said transmitting apparatus, and a mechanically operative connection between said selecting apparatusand said permutation elements-for entirely mechanically controlling said selecting apparatus in accordance with setting of said permutation elements.

11. In-a telegraph transmitting device, a storage medium for storing telegraph signals, a plus rality of permutation elements, apparatus for. mechanically positioning said elements in accordance with signals stored in said medium, a transmitting distributor, an operative connection between the said permutation elements and said distributor for transmitting signals in accordance with the setting of said permutation elements, and other apparatus entirely inde-' pendent of said operative connection entirely mechanically controlled by the setting of said permutation elements responsive to predetermined settings of said permutation elements for controlling the operation of said transmitting distributor.

12. In a combined telegraph transmitting and selecting device controlled by signals stored in a flexible tape, a plurality of permutation elements, apparatus for positioning said elements in accordance with the signals stored in said tape, a telegraph transmitting distributor, contacts controlled by said permutation elements connected to said distributor for controlling the character of the signals transmitted in accordance with the setting of said permutation elements, selecting apparatus exclusive of said transmitting distributor and said contacts for selectively closing one of a plurality of electrical circuits, and an operative connection between said selecting apparatus and said permutation elements operating independently of said transmitting distributor and said contacts for controlling said selecting apparatus in accordance with setting of said permutation elements.

13. A signaling device responsive to signals stored in a signal recording tape comprising apparatus for determining the character of each signal stored in said tape, apparatus mechanically connected to and entirely mechanically controlled by said determining apparatus for selectively operating one of a plurality of sets of switching devices, instrumentalities for normally preventing the operation of said switching devices under control of signals stored in said tape and apparatus responsive to certain predetermined signals stored in said tape for rendering said switching devicesresponsive to the succeeding signals stored in said tape.

EDWARD s. WATSON. 

